Optical Properties of Highly Absorbing Crystals

Abstract

Methods of obtaining polarized single crystal absorption spectra and other closely related spectral data for highly absorbing substances in the ultraviolet and visible regions are discussed. Specular reflection spectroscopy is treated in some detail, both experimental and interpretive techniques being covered, direct absorption methods are discussed, with emphasis being placed on possible sources of difficulty that can arise in crystal measurements involving high optical densities, and the importance of considering the use of other techniques to confirm the results of absorption and reflection studies is brought out. The presentation is illustrated by examples drawn from the author's current research activities.